PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and individual unemployability due to a lack of STRs and personnel records. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is alleged to have originated during his time in-service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case is sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 24, 2012. He also received a TDIU and service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depression, and panic disorder have been rated at 50 percent since November 13, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The examination should determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression was granted, effective February 15, 2008. The decision is based on the new evidence received after his initial claim and VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied in an August 2006 rating decision. The RO determined that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and any in-service risk factors.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for PTSD prior to March 10, 2006 is dismissed as untimely filed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending. The RO will schedule him for a VA examination to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from May 11, 2017. His left tibia and fibula residuals are also rated at 30 percent disabling. The combined effect of these conditions has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no pending claim prior to May 18, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly compensation benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating prior to February 13, 2013. Since then, the disability has not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD from July 17, 2012 through August 15, 2016 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced a traumatic event during service and was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, headache disability, hypertension, and a left ankle disorder (secondary to right ankle injury).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for headaches, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) require further examination and opinion to determine their etiology and service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was denied, and the effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set at September 25, 2015.